Page 298 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

279 I
XIII.] COAST OF ARABIA.
I
is quite unknown. The number belonging to
Jiddah and Yembo’ maybe estimated at from
two hundred and fifty to three hundred. Of
these there are several descriptions : the b&-

galas, the da6, the s&yer, the ganjah, &c.
The two former vary in size from fifty to two
hundred tons; the latter is a long narrow
boat, remarkable for swift sailing, The
greater number of these craft are employed
in the northern part of the sea, in the trans­ 1
port of grain from the Egyptian ports to those

of Arabia, and in the conveyance of pilgrims.
A considerable trade is also carried on in
them to and from Jiddah, which, from its
central situation, is well adapted as a com­
mercial depot for the productions of the upper
and lower parts of the sea. Boats from Ye­
men, or the southern part of the sea, are not
permitted to pass Jiddah without entering
to pay a heavy duty; the consequence of
which is, that they prefer landing their car-

goes there, a part of which, being required
for the Egyptian market, is re-shipped from
thence in vessels belonging to the Jiddah
merchants.
Jiddah is a well-constructed town, built on